Download Putnam County, Florida

PUTNAM COUNTY
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
P.O. BOX 1486
Planning :
(386) 329-0491
Palatka, FL 32178-1486
Zoning:
(386) 329-0316
FAX (386) 329-1213
Building:
(386) 329-0307
Email: [email protected]
Codes Enforcement::
(386) 329-0317
In Florida Toll Free: 1-800-432-0364
E F F E C T I V E MARCH 1, 2 0 0 9
This document shall declare and provide for exemptions and
exclusion to the permitting and inspection requirements of the
current edition of the Florida Building Code within the jurisdiction
of Putnam County.
Pursuant to Florida Statute 553.79, unless the proposed work is specifically listed within this document as
not requiring a permit, any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge,
alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy or occupant content of a building or structure, or
any outside area being used as part of the building's designated occupancy (single or mixed) or to erect,
install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing
system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes, or to cause any such work to be
done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permits, prior to
performing any work within all areas of Putnam County not within the boundaries of any incorporated
municipality of the County, unless provided for by an ordinance passed by the incorporated area’s
governing body and appropriate inter-local agreement. This policy shall be reviewed and updated as
needed to provide compliance with the Florida Building Code, local ordinances, inter-local agreements,
and applicable Florida Statutes.
SECTION 1 – EXEMPTIONS PROVIDED BY THE 2007 FLORIDA BUILDING CODE
The following buildings, structures, and facilities are exempt from the Florida Building Code as provided
by law:
1. Buildings and structures specifically regulated and preempted by the Federal Government.
2. Railroads and ancillary facilities associated with the railroad.
3. Nonresidential farm buildings on farms.
4. Temporary buildings or sheds used exclusively for construction purposes.
5. Mobile or modular structures used as temporary offices (180 days or less), except that the
provisions of part II relating to accessibility by persons with disabilities shall apply to such mobile
or modular structures.
6. Those structures or facilities of electric utilities, as defined in s. 366.02, which are directly
involved in the generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity.
7. Temporary sets, assemblies, or structures used in commercial motion picture or television
production, or any sound-recording equipment used in such production, on or off the premises.
Permits shall not be required for the following gas work:
1. Portable heating appliance.
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2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such
equipment unsafe.
Permits shall not be required for the following mechanical work:
1. Any portable heating appliance.
2. Any portable ventilation equipment.
3. Any portable cooling unit.
4. Any steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by
Florida Building Code.
5. Replacement of any part which does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
6. Any portable evaporative cooler.
7. Any self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 lb (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant and
actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
8. The installation, replacement, removal, or metering of any load management control device.
Permits shall not be required for the following plumbing work:
1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe provided, however, that if any
concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes
necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as
new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in the Florida Building
Code.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal
and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the
replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
SECTION 2 – HOMEOWNERS’ EXEMPTIONS TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FLORIDA
BUILDING CODE
Homeowner shall be defined, for use in this document, as a fee simple owner or ownership by right, of a
habitable single family residence within in the jurisdiction of Putnam County and the owner resides in said
residence, including mobile or manufactured homes, and the home is neither rented, leased, or for sale.
Properties declared and approved for Homestead Exemption are deemed to meet this requirement.
Contracts for Deed must be recorded in the Public Record to be considered proof of ownership.
Section 102.2.5 of the 2007 Edition of the Florida Building Code provides authority for local jurisdictions
to allow owners of a single-family residence one or more exemptions to the Florida Building Code. The
scope of work defined in this section does not require a permit or inspections from Putnam County
Planning and Development Services providing the work is performed by the owner or under
his/her direct supervision, but must be constructed to the minimum requirements of the current
edition of the Florida Building Code and meet local zoning and land use requirements. This exemption
does not apply to work performed by a contractor which would require a permit. The following
exemptions are hereby allowed for construction only and do not apply to electrical,
plumbing, mechanical or gas work, and apply only to owner(s) of a single-family residence
for their own use and occupancy:
1. DETACHED RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY BUILDINGS: Permits and inspections shall not
be required for a homeowner in the construction, alteration, repair, removal, replacement or
demolition of site-built detached accessory buildings or structures, except aluminum
structures, used exclusively for residential use that are one story, less than 12 feet to the
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ridge in height, do not exceed 150 square feet in area of total footprint, which are freestanding, meet zoning requirements, and are not used for human habitation.
For
homeowners only, this includes simple roofed structures located at or in a body of water
used exclusively for residential use that are one story, less than 12 feet to the ridge in height
measured from the floor or walking surface, do not exceed 150 square feet in area of total
footprint, which are free-standing, meet zoning requirements, and are not used for human
habitation.
NOTE: Roofed structures located at or in a body of water and using a boat hoisting device
(mechanical or electrical), bulkheads and retaining walls greater than 2 feet in height are not
included in this exemption and require a permit and inspections from Putnam County
Planning and Development Services. (revised 03/01/2009)
2. DCA SHEDS: DCA approved manufactured sheds 150 sq. ft. or less are exempt, however, all
sheds with overall size greater than 150 sq. ft. and all aluminum structures regardless of size,
require a building permit, zoning approval, and inspections from Putnam County Planning and
Development Services.
3. RESIDENTIAL WOOD DECKS: Permits and inspections shall not be required for
homeowners in the construction, alteration, repair, removal, replacement or demolition of
residential decks constructed of wood or other approved material which do not exceed 150
square feet, are located less than 30” above lowest finished grade and do not support a
concentrated load such as a hot tub, spa, or portable pool, and do not include a roof
structure.
NOTE: All electrical work or connection to an electrical system requires a permit and
inspection.
SECTION 3 – WORK EXCLUDED FROM PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS
The following work, due to scope and nature, is exempt from permits and inspections by Putnam County
Planning and Development Services for owners and contractors, but must be constructed to the minimum
requirements of the current edition of the Florida Building Code, if applicable and meet local zoning and
land use requirements:
1.
Ordinary minor repairs for the purposes of maintaining residential or commercial property
may be made provided the repairs do not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or
portion thereof, the removal or cutting away of any structural beam or load-bearing support,
or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or the rearrangement of parts of
a structure affecting the egress requirements.
Ordinary minor repairs shall not include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation
of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or
similar piping, electrical wiring systems or mechanical equipment or other work affecting
public health or general safety, and such repairs shall not violate any of the provisions of the
technical codes.
2.
Repair and/or replacement of residential roof or exterior wall coverings provided the work
does not exceed, in any 12 month period, 25% of the total sq. ft. area of the respective
surface.
3.
Replacement of a single exterior residential door or window in any 12 month period does not
require a permit. Multiple replacements of doors or windows (more than one) require a
permit. This exemption does include the installation of a residential garage door which
requires a permit. The replacement of any commercial door requires a permit. (revised
10/01/2007)
4.
Interior repair and/or damage replacement of gypsum wallboard, paneling, ceiling tiles or
other interior wall, and ceiling surfaces in residential property provided the work does not
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exceed, in any 12 month period, 25% of the total sq. ft. area of the respective surface for
the purpose of maintaining such material. This exemption includes replacement of flooring
and underlayment but does not include structural repairs to framing members. (revised
10/01/2007)
5.
Repair and/or replacement of commercial exterior wall coverings provided the work does not
exceed, in any 12 month period, 10% of the total sq. ft. area of the respective surface.
6.
Interior repair and/or damage replacement of gypsum wallboard, paneling, ceiling tiles or
other interior wall and ceiling surfaces in commercial property provided the work does not
exceed, in any 12 month period, 10% of the total sq. ft. area of the respective surface for
the purpose of maintaining such material, but does not include any walls, floors or ceilings
required to be fire rated by code. (revised 10/01/2007)
7.
Exterior and interior painting of existing residential or commercial property, including
patching, caulking, or sealing.
8.
Repair, replace or installation of decorative trims such as casings, base and ceiling moldings,
and other non-structural architectural details in residential or commercial property.
9.
Stucco and/or cementitious coatings applied directly to masonry on residential or commercial
property. This exemption does not apply to wood framed or metal structures.
10.
Installation of residential cabinetry and countertops. This exemption does not apply to
counters in commercial buildings accessed by the public and regulated by the Florida
Accessibility Code. (revised 10/01/2007) Installation of floor coverings, including carpet,
wood, vinyl, or tile in residential or commercial property.
11.
Replacement of existing single-family residential plumbing fixtures, such as: water closets,
bidets, sinks, or lavatories.
NOTE: Replacement of tubs and/or showers with concealed traps will require a permit
because it is remodeling in nature.
NOTE: Replacement or adding of gas, solar or electric water heaters or equipment requires a
permit. (revised 03/01/2009)
12.
Replacing or installing plug-in type appliances, such as: stoves, washers, dryers, portable
spas or hot tubs, air conditioners, de-humidifiers, welders, or other portable plug-in type
appliances at residential or commercial property.
13.
Replacing existing receptacles, switches, light fixtures, or ceiling fans on residential or
commercial systems with like devices or fixtures in compliance with the National Electrical
Code.
14.
Impervious surfaces on residential property such as patios, sidewalks, parking areas,
landings, recreational slabs, or pavers shall not require a permit or inspections provided the
coverage of the total impervious surfaces does not exceed 30% of the lot/parcel size or
4,000 sq. ft., and does not violate any zoning or land use provisions. Slabs placed for future
use as a foundation to a structure are not exempt and require a permit and inspections from
the Putnam County Planning and Development Services. This exemption does not include
Driveway Permits issued by Putnam County Public Works and Putnam County Planning and
Development Services or accessible routes required by the Florida Accessibility Code for
Building Construction.
NOTE: Pool decks are not included and require a permit and inspections. (revised
10/01/2008)
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15.
Residential docks for private use and accessory to a single-family dwelling.
NOTE: Roofed structures located at or in a body of water, including those using a boat
hoisting device (mechanical or electrical), bulkheads and retaining walls are not included in
this exemption and require a permit and inspections from Putnam County Planning and
Development Services.
16.
Ground level wood decks for private use and accessory to a single-family dwelling, which are
less than 15 1/2” above the finished grade at any point may be constructed, any size,
without a permit.
17.
Small, temporary pools without motors, which are commonly referred to or known as “kiddy
pools”. Pools with motors for recirculation and/or filtering, which are 24” or more in depth
require a permit and inspections.
18.
Installation of insect screening, screen doors and associated hardware, and molding and trim
shall not require a permit on residential or commercial projects when installed in existing
porches, gazebos, screen rooms, or other similar structures.
19.
Demolition of any single story detached residential accessory building or structure of 1,000
sq. ft. or less, provided the structure is not connected to an electrical, plumbing or
mechanical system. (revised 10/01/2007)
20.
Wood, metal, wire or vinyl fences 6’ or less in total height on residential or commercial
property do not require a permit but must comply with the Land Development Code. All
fences constructed of concrete and/or masonry are considered to be a structure and require
and building and zoning permit. (revised 10/01/2007)
21.
Retaining walls or bulkheads serving single family residential property and less than 2 feet in
height do not require a permit. This exemption does not apply to commercial property and all
commercial marine structures, retaining walls, and bulkheads require a permit regardless of
size or height. (revised 10/01/2007 & 03/01/2009)
SECTION 4 – EMERGENCY REPAIRS
Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit
application shall be submitted within the next working business day to the office of Putnam County
Planning and Development Services.
SECTION 5 – ELECTRICAL (revised 10/01/2008)
Installations under the exclusive control of an electric utility where such installations consist of service
drops, service laterals, or associated with metering are exempt from a permit and inspections by Putnam
County Planning and Development Services, Building Division. Electrical repairs or modifications to
existing electrical systems must be inspected by this office and requires a permit; except the replacement
of breakers, fuses, receptacles, switches, fixtures, damaged conduit, and when replaced with like size and
capacity devices, fixtures or material.
DISCLAIMER – This information is provided as a guideline. It is recommended the user
contact our office to verify if a permit is required by calling (386) 329-0307.
Paul T. Myers, CBCA
Building Official
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__________03/01/2009___
Date